Blog

  • Home >
  • Blog >
  • How Do I Fix Water Stains on the Ceiling?

How Do I Fix Water Stains on the Ceiling?

How Do I Fix Water Stains on the Ceiling?

What can I do about water stains on the ceiling?

One of the last things a homeowner wants to see when he or she looks up is water damage on the ceiling: yellow, discolored rings and blotches marring that otherwise uniform surface. It could be a plumbing leak, an enthusiastic bather, a roof failure or a siding malfunction. Whatever the cause, it is something many of us will have to deal with at some point. So, what can you do about water stains on the ceiling?

How to Deal with Water Stains on the Ceiling

The first thing you need to do if you have water damage on your ceiling is track down and rectify the source of the water. It may sound obvious, but it's worth saying: if you repair the damage without stopping the source of water entry, you will only end up with the same problem on your hands again... or worse!

If your water damage is near or under a water fixture of some kind (tub, shower, sink, etc.), contact a plumber to see if you have a leak. If there is no plumbing in that part of the house, talk to a roofing contractor for an inspection.

Remediating Water Damage on Ceilings

Once you are confident that no more water is leaking, assess the damage. If the drywall or plaster is still wet, you will need to wait for it to dry, or run a dehumidifier in the area. See if there are any signs of mildew or mold. For minor occurrences of these fungi, wash the area with a mild bleach solution. If it is serious or widespread, consider talking to a professional to make sure it is dealt with properly. The health problems that mold can cause are no small matter.

water damage on a popcorn ceilingIf the drywall or plaster is sagging, bulging or otherwise showing structural problems, a drywall contractor or a professional house painter can repair the damage for you. If there is no evident problem of this type, you are ready to proceed to the next step.

To cover over the water stains, use a stain-blocking primer on the affected areas. Kilz and Zinsser both offer ceiling paints for this purpose. Kilz has a product called Upshot, which is a spray-on ceiling paint designed to match an aged white ceiling. Make sure you use tape and tarps to cover anything you don't want paint on, and spray, brush or roll on the primer. Read the label to see if you need to ventilate the room during use.

After the primer has been applied, see if you need another coat. Are there still signs of water damage on the ceiling? Usually two coats would be the most you need.

Now that the primer is dried, step back and take a look. If you can't see a difference between the repair and the rest of the ceiling, leave it alone; you're done! More likely, however, is that you will need to paint the whole ceiling in order to get a pleasant, uniform finish.

Not Interested in the Do-it-yourself Ceiling Repair option?

If this process is not for you, simply call one of the many professional painting companies in the San Francisco area. MB JESSEE would be happy to come to your home to help you evaluate the water damage and create a plan for remediating the situation.

Another item you may want to consider at the same time, if you have water damage on your ceiling, is the removal of popcorn ceiling texture. A professional house painter could get rid of your water damage and your outdated ceiling texture all at the same time!

MB JESSEE is a San Francisco house painting company, serving the East Bay area, as well as Contra Costa, Danville, Marin, Hillsborough and more. Contact us for a free estimate for interior or exterior painting services. We promise, you won't be disappointed by our service!

Request an Estimate

Serving the San Francisco Bay Area

Files must be an image (.jpg or .png). Limit 2 images.

Why People Hire Us

Fully Licensed and Insured

Fully Licensed and Insured

Clear Communication

Clear Communication

Peace of Mind

Peace of Mind

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

One-Stop Shop for Painting and Carpentry

One-Stop Shop for Painting and Carpentry

Experienced Oversight and Job Leadership

Experienced Oversight and Job Leadership

Our Credentials

BBB American Society of Interior Designers ASID Leadsafe Certified Firm EPA NARI Member Nolan Summit Services Inc

Customer Reviews

“Hello Matt,Just another notice of thanks to your wonderful crew, Rigoberto, Javier and John. They did fantastic work, with Rigo providing meticulous and conscientious attention to the details and excellent woodwork finishing, as evidenced by the beautiful fireplace. Javier did a fantastic job in the bathroom especially, it looks "brand new," and John always does quality work, both with the interior and exterior. I can tell they care about what they do. Rigo's "punch out" was very thorough, too. I will call again when I need some more work and will definitely recommend your company and fine crew. I also felt as a homeowner, I could leave my house in their good hands during the day and that took a lot of worry from me, they were honest, prompt and reliable. They were also very kind, respectful and clean in their work, very professional. Thank you.”

— Beth Marx & Melissa Kirsch
Oakland

“I had my wooden kitchen cabinets painted white. Anabal and Danielle were doing the job. I have nothing but praise for them. They came on time, cleaned up every day, were respective, friendly and helpful. If the rest of Jessee's crew are as great as Anabal and Danielle, this company will go far.”

— Anni S.
Oakland, CA

“I want to express my thanks for a job well done. The rooms look great and there is no problem with any marks on the all the trim, floor, carpet, etc. The paint job is lovely. I also want to express my thanks for the level of professionalism the foreman showed in running the job. He was very attentive to any changes I needed to make, was extremely careful in getting the faux paint color and effect correct. Thanks so much for a job well done.”

— Suzan D’Arcy

“The kitchen looks NEW! You guys are amazing.”

“Matt, Julie & Ricardo, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank the three of you for the wonderful job you did in hosting the SFBA NARI Chapter Meeting on Wednesday evening. Everything was perfect from beginning to end. Members and guests alike walked away with a truly positive experience. The "painter for a day" and the cookies in the paint cans were an absolute brilliant touch and received rave reviews. What a wonderful way to do such positive marketing. Thanks again for a truly memorable experience for our members and guests. You are valued as a NARI member.”

— Judy Tufo, SFBA NARI Executive Director

“I just wanted to send you an email to say that John did such a great job over here today. He is truly a hard worker. He has the perfect balance of friendliness, honesty, and professionalism. I trust him. He takes the time to do the job to the best of his ability and that is what sets him (and your company) apart from the competition. He didn't make me feel rushed. He really made me feel like our job was the most important thing in the world. Thanks again!”

— Jo
Oakland

“Many thanks to Rigoberto and Damon and the extraordinary team who transformed my castle in the skies.They are magicians. I appreciate their work very much.”

— Kathleen A
San Francisco

“Matt, We are very happy with how all of the painting worked out. We were extremely impressed with the quality of the work in the bathroom. I liked working with Victor, he and Marvin were extremely conscientious about doing a great job, not just the minimum. I know the front door took a lot longer than you'd expected. But they did it PERFECTLY. We never thought it could turn out like that! Thanks again for the great work. We'll be calling you again in the future!”

— Craig
Alameda, CA

“I love the article in the paper on your company. Thank you for supporting our community by painting at the Claremont Middle School. Thanks!”

— Carla Banks

“Thank you for the support you have given the Women's Cancer Resource Center over the past year!”

— Margo - Director Women's Cancer Resource Center

“Everyone I dealt with was nice, helpful, and very professional. The price was reasonable! (I didn't feel like I was getting the "San Francisco price." The attention to detail and work quality was excellent. They did what they said they would do in the exact timeframe they said they would do. Highly recommend!”

— Tim Tyson

“My entire experience with MB Jesse was very professional. The crew were very friendly and super accommodating of my ridiculous schedule and geriatric pets in the house. The finished product, which was pretty much my entire house, far exceeds my expectations. Would definitely work with them again!”

— Heather Jordan